Senior Conservation & Design Officer

Kirklees District is a diverse part of West Yorkshire with a rich, varied and highly-valued historic environment and the highest number of designated heritage assets in Yorkshire. The district’s administrative centre is Huddersfield and it includes more than 4,500 listed buildings, 59 Conservation Areas, 22 scheduled monuments and 5 registered historic parks spread across the former mill towns and villages in the Colne, Holme, Calder and Spen valleys and the extensive areas of Pennine countryside bordering the Peak District National Park.

An exciting opportunity has opened for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Senior Conservation Officer to help us conserve and manage the wealth of heritage assets and contribute to the sustainable growth and regeneration of the district.

We are looking for a passionate, experienced, and enthusiastic colleague, with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of conservation practice, Listed Building legislation, Planning policy guidance and case law. The successful candidate will provide specialist conservation management and design support, as well as contributing to range of proactive heritage projects across the district.

You will be part of a team of customer focused built heritage specialists, reporting to the Team Leader for Conservation, Design, Ecology and Trees working, alongside the existing Senior Conservation Officer. You will take responsibility for your own Listed Building Consent caseload and will be responsible for providing expert conservation and design advice to colleagues on built heritage matters, as well as helping manage the programme of Conservation Area Appraisals and Heritage at Risk initiatives. 

You will have a demonstrable knowledge and appreciation of all aspects of architectural history, traditional building construction, urban design and Town and Country Planning legislation and policy implementation.

You should have a relevant post-graduate qualification and eligibility for IHBC Membership, and you will need to have the ability to travel around the District on site visits.

To be considered for this role it is essential that you have the following:

• A built heritage related qualification with at least 3 years relevant experience, and be a member, or eligible for membership, of the IHBC.
• Demonstrable understanding of the Planning issues relating to building conservation and the management of change in the historic environment, with a proven track record of delivery of successful outcomes.
• The ability to work well under pressure, to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines and maintain a customer-focussed and collaborative approach in respect of ensuring the built heritage of the district is recognised, protected, and managed appropriately.

For an informal, confidential discussion regarding this position please contact: Nick Grimshaw. Team Leader Conservation, Design, Ecology & Trees. Kirklees Council. Growth & Regeneration Directorate.

t. 01484 221000      

m. 07968 794270

In order to be shortlisted for this role, you will need to highlight how you fit the Person Specification found in the Job Profile.